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Ornate icons of pre-Hispanic remembrance are skillfully embossed in leather using traditional tools and exceptional creativity. This beautiful stool is useful and original. The sturdy base is crafted of mohena wood in the form of a vaulting horse and finished with walnut stain. The soft leather seat is stuffed with rice straw for comfort. Abel Rios crafts novel items that combine form and function.

At the age of 16, I joined my brother's workshop to learn to work with leather. At 21, I set up my own workshop and began to create the wood and leather designs that I am known for. I love the history that I am able to bring to my work. Since colonial times, leather and wood have been combined to create many practical and decorative pieces of furniture and art. My style is distinct and detailed. I use motifs from Peruvian culture and my workshop is known for quality. I love this art and enjoy teaching my workers the skills that were generously taught to me. Many of my workers have gone on to open their own workshops. This gives me pleasure. This is how we keep the art alive.

I have found great success with Novica. I am now an established artisan and my work is sold around the world. I have the life I once imagined but, most importantly, I have made my family secure. My children are educated and they work with me - together we bring our love of Peruvian history and craft to a respected family business.

Abel no longer shares the rented patio with his chickens - the site of his first workshop. Today, the Rios family has bought that house and built a four story workshop on the adjacent land. They employ other artisans to help meet the international demand for their handcrafted products.

Abel is determined to give back - to share the good fortune that he has found. He employs two people who have thrived in the supportive environment his workshop provides. His assistant is intellectually challenged and one of his wood carvers is profoundly deaf.

While waiting for a bus, Abel was hit by a car. In Lima this is an all too common occurrence, and many do not survive. Abel was confined to a wheelchair for a year and relied on his son to deliver his designs to Novica.

Andes

"With my older brother's generous and providential offer, I learned the wondrous art of leather work – a trade that continues to fascinate me and consume most of my days."

"I have dedicated myself to crafting fine leather products since the age of 16. Initially, I began by helping my older brother Héctor in his leather workshop after he asked me to come to work for him. With my older brother's generous and providential offer, I learned the wondrous art of leather work – a trade that continues to fascinate me and consume most of my days.

"When I was 23 years old I decided to become an independent artisan. I opened my own workshop in my house. Fortunately, my work has gained considerable popularity, and I greatly enjoy the responses that I continue to receive when people see my creations.

"These days, my work consists of cutting, embossing and engraving fine leather with a distinct style and skill that you won't find in many workshops. I design many beautiful Inca and colonial motifs, and emboss those upon the leather. I sell some of my work locally to art shops, but am especially happy and proud that my products are being sold all over the world now through Novica.

"Before I began to work with Novica, I had my workshop in the back patio of my home, with no floor, surrounded by the chickens we raised to feed our family. I didn't have the necessary tools. I am proud of what I have achieved during these recent years, all thanks to Novica.

"Since joining Novica eight years ago, I have become a prosperous businessman, and my children are now educated professionals who work with me. Eight years go, I brought my work to Novica, and, little by little, began to sell more and to extend my line of designs. This permitted me to better care for my family, and to invest in my workshop.

"In time, I was able to rent a house nearby, where I moved my furniture crafting business. I bought equipment and my workshop began to grow. With more orders and customers, I was able to hire helpers, improve my designs, research new techniques, and use better raw materials, always working hand-in-hand with Novica. Eventually I bought the house I had been renting. Three years ago, I bought the land next door, where I built a new three-story workshop.

"My son is now 25, with a degree in business administration. My daughter Daisy is 21, and is finishing a degree in accounting. They both help me now. I began my art at the age of 16, and am now 50."

63 Testimonials for Abel Rios

I purchased 'Angelic Messenger'. It is absolutely stunning. The picture on the internet really does not do it justice. The details are amazing and the nuances of color are spectacular. It looks beautiful in natural daylight as well as at night under the lights. As you move around the light reflects on all the angles of the sculpture and really it is magnificent work of art. Thank you D'Alcazar S for this beautiful work of art that I will treasure. I highly recommend this artist. You w